Virgin Recruitment - Any updates?
.
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: Not where I want to be!
In a recent Flight Crew update, it stated that external recruitment was expected towards the end of this year. That was from the Head of Flight Crew last month.
Last edited by Busbar; 6th February 2013 at 13:29.
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
From: EGKK
Recruitment
Don't hold your breath.
Last summer there was an announcement that lessons had been learnt regarding the introduction of the A330, and how inadequate crewing levels lead to the cancelling of flights etc.. So for the introduction of the 789, we were going to to get ahead of the game and recruit an additional 60 pilots. This lead to much wagging of tails on the seniority list as it would also translate to new commands.
Well another few months down the line, "They have a cunning plan", now we only need 10 additional commands to cover the guys dropping out of the roster system while they do preemptive 777 courses. So no new 60 guys.......
But the good news, that despite losing 2 million a week all pilots will be complying with uniform standards and wearing coordinated lanyards.
On a lighter note, pay talks have reopened and the companies opening gambit was 'How much of a pay cut are the pilots prepared to accept?'. No BALPA representative was available to comment due to deep throating commitments....
Last summer there was an announcement that lessons had been learnt regarding the introduction of the A330, and how inadequate crewing levels lead to the cancelling of flights etc.. So for the introduction of the 789, we were going to to get ahead of the game and recruit an additional 60 pilots. This lead to much wagging of tails on the seniority list as it would also translate to new commands.
Well another few months down the line, "They have a cunning plan", now we only need 10 additional commands to cover the guys dropping out of the roster system while they do preemptive 777 courses. So no new 60 guys.......
But the good news, that despite losing 2 million a week all pilots will be complying with uniform standards and wearing coordinated lanyards.
On a lighter note, pay talks have reopened and the companies opening gambit was 'How much of a pay cut are the pilots prepared to accept?'. No BALPA representative was available to comment due to deep throating commitments....
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 1,483
Likes: 0
From: Europe
QAR ASR,
Thank you for your update. If/when the 789 does arrive at VS, is there any idea on which fleet the pilots will be sourced from? Will one fleet be drawn down as the 789 arrives and thus transferring pilots from the departing fleet? Or will it be a Boeing to Boeing programme (i.e., stick to your fleet/manufacturer similar to hiring at VS)?
Cheers
Thank you for your update. If/when the 789 does arrive at VS, is there any idea on which fleet the pilots will be sourced from? Will one fleet be drawn down as the 789 arrives and thus transferring pilots from the departing fleet? Or will it be a Boeing to Boeing programme (i.e., stick to your fleet/manufacturer similar to hiring at VS)?
Cheers
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 204
Likes: 0
From: EGKK
Iver, the Boeing guys would have you believe that they will be required to provide their unique cocktail of Seattle based excellence make this new aeroplane a success. The A330 guys are convinced their wealth of ETOPS time will be essential. Both of these groups become more adamant the longer they stand at the bar, the truth is both parties cry themselves to sleep in the hope of escaping their rostering nightmares.
The aircraft most immediately leaving are the A346's so it would make sense the crews are drawn from there, but sense and pilot establishment do always make good bedfellows, so expect a substantial amount of cross training and passed over SFO's not getting Passover pay. In theory by Q3 2014 all Airbus pilots should be tri-fleeted. But 5 bucks and one cost saving initiative says that won't happen.
The aircraft most immediately leaving are the A346's so it would make sense the crews are drawn from there, but sense and pilot establishment do always make good bedfellows, so expect a substantial amount of cross training and passed over SFO's not getting Passover pay. In theory by Q3 2014 all Airbus pilots should be tri-fleeted. But 5 bucks and one cost saving initiative says that won't happen.
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: West Sussex
Not to let the facts get in the way of a good story, but pay talks haven't started yet and apparently won't do so for another couple of months. Don't know where QAR ASR is getting his info from, but it's total 
.
Latest update was no recruitment until later in the year but about 20 commands this year. Changes to some Airbus trips will mean that we need less pilots but in true fashion, everyone is so busy arguing about der wunderkind's edict on bloody uniform lanyards that the changes have gone through with barely a peep. Shows what's important to the average pilot here nowadays, I suppose.
.Latest update was no recruitment until later in the year but about 20 commands this year. Changes to some Airbus trips will mean that we need less pilots but in true fashion, everyone is so busy arguing about der wunderkind's edict on bloody uniform lanyards that the changes have gone through with barely a peep. Shows what's important to the average pilot here nowadays, I suppose.
Joined: May 2003
Aviation Qualifications: ATPL
Posts: 900
Likes: 0
From: Surrey
Again, does anyone know if the hold pool will slowly be emptied as the year goes on before more recruitment at the end of the year? Or are there no more courses planned this year?
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 107
Likes: 0
From: UK
Yep confirmed no external recruitment 'planned' until about November when they'll need to crew a -400 currently used as a standby ship.
I understand it'll be guys currently in the hold pool.
This can and will probably change before then of course.
I understand it'll be guys currently in the hold pool.
This can and will probably change before then of course.